Late Senior Bowl call results in opportunity for Donald Jones

Opportunity doesn't always knock in advance when it comes to receiving a Senior Bowl invitation. That opportunity often comes in the form of a late phone call.

Donald Jones' phone rang at around 11 o'clock Monday night.

"It was very shocking. I wasn't expecting that at all," he said. "It's really been a humbling experience and it's a honor to get the chance to play in the Senior Bowl."

Tommy HicksEarly the next morning he found himself at the airport. Unlike his teammates on the North squad, he missed the first two days of practice, so when he arrived at Ladd-Peebles Stadium Wednesday morning, he had to jump into the mix of things having not played football since his final game with Youngstown State on Nov. 21.

"Wednesday was a long day for me," Jones said. "It was hard trying to learn everything and pick up the plays on the go. Plus, I hadn't played football in a while so I had to get used to that again. I think I was able to show some of my route running, but I was mainly just trying to learn where to be and what to do on each play."

It wasn't the ideal situation for Jones, a 6-foot-2, 214-pound wide receiver who earned first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors in 2009. But it was an opportunity he couldn't turn down.

Jones earned his invitation. Aside from his all-conference honors, he set a school record this season with 77 catches (for 790 yards and six touchdowns).

When he leaves Mobile he'll head for El Paso, Texas, where he will play in the Texas vs. The World all-star game. He has also received an invitation to participate in the NFL Combine in February.

The Senior Bowl invitation, even though it came late, gives Jones a jump-start on next week's game and the combine, he said.

"I think getting the opportunity to be here will help me with the next game and the combine," Jones said. "It helps to have already been out there and had a chance to play in front of the (scouts). They get a chance to see you."

The NFL scouts, general managers and coaches who have been in Mobile know Jones was a late addition, and that information is factored into their on-site evaluation. And often, just getting the chance to talk face to face with those who will play a part in the decisions on draft day is worth the trip here.

And there's the chance something good could happen in Saturday's Senior Bowl game. "Who knows, if I make a couple of catches or score a touchdown, maybe it will get (the NFL scouts') attention," Jones said.